8.

1
Is today a warm, humid day or is it cold and stormy?
Are todays conditions unusual or are they what you would
expect for this time of year? Science fiction author Robert
Heinlein wrote, Climate is what you expect, but weather is
what you get. How do scientists define these two terms?

Climate versus Weather

weather: atmospheric
conditions, including
temperature, precipitation,
wind, and humidity, at a
particular time and place
climate: average weather
conditions in a region
over a long period of time
precipitation: water in the
form of rain, snow, sleet,
or hail that falls to or
condenses on the ground
humidity: measure of the
amount of water vapour
in the air

When we talk about the weather, we usually describe the conditions

that we see or feel outside. Weather refers to the short-term
conditions or state of the atmosphere at a given time or place.
But, when we discuss the cold winters of northern Canada, we are
talking about how the winter weather usually is. Climate refers to
long-term weather patterns in a particular area.

Describing Weather
A description of weather includes a number of different variables.
These may include: temperature; wind speed and direction; the
presence of fog, mist, or cloud cover; and the type and amount of
precipitation. Precipitation is water that falls from the sky to the
ground, such as rain, snow, sleet, or hail. A description of weather
also usually includes information about air pressure and humidity.
Humidity is the amount of water vapour present in the air. As you
can see in Figure 1, weather conditions can quickly change.
June 3

June 4

Figure 1 The weather in an area can change dramatically in a matter of hours.

292 Chapter 8 Earths Climate System

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Weather Data
A meteorologist is a person who gathers data on weather and
uses this information to predict the weather in specific regions. You
might want to know the predicted weather on a day you plan to take
a trip or play an outdoor sport. The weather data used for making
predictions are collected at weather stations and by satellites and
weather balloons (Figure 2).

meteorologist: a person
who studies atmospheric
conditions, especially for
predicting weather

Describing Climate
Climate is the usual pattern of weather in a particular place over
a long period of time. To determine the present-day climate of
a place, weather data from at least 30 years are collected and
averaged. Table 1 shows the average temperature and amount of
precipitation for Ottawa, Ontario, for each month over 30 years.

Figure 2 Weather
balloons collect data
related to weather.

Table 1 Average Conditions for Ottawa, Ontario, 19712000

Average daily
temperature (C)
Average
precipitation (mm)

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

10.5

8.6

2.4

6.0

13.6

18.4

21

19.7

14.7

8.2

64.2

51.6

64.9

67.7

81

91.2

88.9

87.6

86.8

79.1

Climate data tell you whether to expect

rain, snow, or high winds during certain
seasons. For example, the climate in
southern Ontario is usually warm and
humid during summer, and cold with
snow during winter. Climate maps, such
as the climate map of Ontario shown in
Figure 3, provide information about the
climate in an entire region. Day-to-day
weather can change quickly, but climate
conditions are more predictable.

Nov

Dec

1.5

6.6

77

74.1

January
Daily Maximum
Temperatures

Hudson Bay

-0 C to 4 C
5 C to 9 C
10 C to 14 C
15 C to 19 C
20 C to 24 C

Ontario

N
E

W
e Superi
or
La k

hi g a

100 200 km

La ke Mi c

ian
rg y
a

Ge
o
B

Lake
Huron

Ontario
Lake

e
Lak

Erie

Figure 3 This climate map shows the average daily maximum

temperatures in different regions of Ontario during the month
of January.

NEL

The legend and compass rose overpower the map in the pickup so they have been re
8.1 Climate and Weather 293
Hopefully the new colours suit.

Earths Climate Zones

The climate in your region affects the way you live. It might affect
the kind of house you live in. It certainly affects the clothes you
wear and the kinds of activities you do outside.

climatologist: a person
who studies climates and
their phenomena
climate zone: a
geographical region
with particular climate
patterns, especially
average temperature and
precipitation patterns

A scientist who studies climate is called a climatologist.

Climatologists have divided Earths land into climate zones. A
climate zone is an area that is classified according to temperature,
precipitation, and the types of plants that live there. Regions
in different parts of Earth can be in the same climate zone. For
example, the polar regions, the Arctic and Antarctica, are in the
same climate zone. Figure 4 shows a map of Earths climate zones.
In which climate zone do you live? Can you find another part of the
world with the same climate zone?

dig deeper

Web Link
The plants and animals
that live in the various
climate zones can be very
different. To find out more
about living things and
climate zones,

The climate zone of a region has a significant effect on the type of

life that can exist. For example, you would not expect a tropical bird
to survive in the Arctic. Other conditions, such as the type of soil or
the features of the landscape (mountains, lakes), also affect the type
of species that can survive in a region.

go to Nelson Science

Arctic Circle

Tropic of Canc
er

Equator

rico
Tropic of Cap

rn

Antarctic

Circle
0

Tropical
tropical wet
tropical dry

Dry
semi arid
arid

Moderate
marine
west coast
mediterranean
humid
subtropical

Continental
warm
summer
cool
summer
subarctic

1500 3000 km

Polar
tundra
ice
highlands

Figure 4 World climate zones

294 Chapter 8 Earths Climate System

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Ecozones and Ecoregions

An ecozone is a region with a particular set of climate conditions
and natural features, such as soil, landscape features, plants, and
animals. Canada has 20 major ecozones across the country.

ecozone: a large
ecosystem defined by
climate, land conditions,
and organisms

Figure 5 shows the three main ecozones

in Ontario. Ecozones can be further divided
into ecoregions. Ecoregions are classified
by more details than either climate zones
or ecozones. Canada has more than
194 ecoregions.

Hudson Bay

Ecozones
Hudson Plain
Boreal Shield
Mixed Wood Plain
James
Bay

Many different systems are used to describe

climate information. The classification system
that is used depends on what the information
is to be used for. For example, ecoregions also
consider human factors, such as crops and
urban centres, as well as the landscape, soil,
and other livingthings.

Ontario

W
S

e Superi
or
La k

h i ga
L a ke Mi c

0 100 200 km

ian
rg y
a

Ge
o
B

Lake
Huron

Onta
Lake

rio

rie
eE
Lak

Figure 5 Ontario has three ecozones.

8.1 Wrap Up

legend and
compass
rose
overpower the map in the pickup so they have be
Weather is the atmospheric conditions The
in a particular
location
over
a short
period of time.

Climate is the average weather conditions in a region over at least 30 years.

Climate zones are classified by temperature, precipitation, and plant life.

Science 10 SB
0-17-624139-6
1. Describe todays weather
3. Your family is planning a picnic for the weekend.
SNC2P_Earth8_8.1_5
FN in your area, giving
information about each
the
Art GroupWould you want predictions of weather or
COitem below. UseCrowle
Internet to help you. T/I C
climate? Explain your answer. K/U C
Deborah Crowle
(a) temperature
4. (a) Describe a situation in which knowledge of
1st pass
Pass
(b) wind speed and direction
climate zones and ecozones would be useful
Approved
(c) air pressure
to you. A
Not Approved
(d) precipitation
(b) Who else might benefit from these

Check Your Learning

(e) presence of fog, clouds, or mist

2. What type of information is needed to describe

the climate of a region? K/U

NEL

classification systems? A
5. Climate is what you expect, but weather is what
you get. How accurate is this statement? Why? K/U

8.1 Climate and Weather 295